William Shakespeare's writings are undoubtedly the most beloved classics of most people. But the personality of the author himself is surrounded by a multi-layered veil of secrecy. The main question is: how could an illiterate provincial write such delightful works. This is so incredible that many scholars, when it comes to Shakespeare's works, immediately categorically deny his authorship.
So, for example, according to one of the versions, a writer with the name Shakespeare did not really exist, but under this name a completely different person wrote, whose identity also causes a lot of controversy …
Church books contain records of the baptism and marriage of a certain native of Startsford, William Shakespeare. It is known that his father, John Shakespeare, came from a farming family, in Startsford he became a wool merchant, and also established the production of seals. And although John was illiterate, he was repeatedly elected as a representative to the city council and a member of the panel of judges. Very little is known about the education of William Shakespeare: perhaps he attended a city school, and more, perhaps, William did not study anywhere: he was not listed among the students of educational institutions. At the age of 18, William married Anna Hetheway, receiving a small dowry for her. His wife and two daughters did not know literacy, which at that time was quite common. The family lived modestly, the main income was from the commercial activities of the head of the family: mainly, he was engaged in usury. In the archives of Startsford, documents have been preserved that Shakespeare ruthlessly pursued his debtors, knocking out debts through the courts.
Researchers of Shakespeare's work claim that they have not seen a single primary source written by Shakespeare's hand, there are only printed editions. There are no documents that could tell about the personal life of the famous author of tragedies.
Analysis of Shakespeare's works showed that Shakespeare's vocabulary should have included at least 20 thousand words. In addition, it was he who introduced about 3.5 thousand new words into everyday life. And this is several times higher than the vocabulary of most of Shakespeare's contemporaries. And one more oddity: not a single review, not a single memory of his contemporaries has survived about Shakespeare - as if there was no such author.
Also, nothing is known about the presence of a library in a writer, which undoubtedly should be in an educated person. Scientists were especially struck by the text of Shakespeare's will, where he lists all the wretched utensils and old furniture handed over to his household. The author of "Hamlet" and "Othello" could not write a text in such a mediocre style and so pitifully express his thoughts! When William Shakespeare died, not one of the enlightened people of that time wrote anything about the death of the author of King Lear and Macbeth.
Shakespeare's works testify that the author knew many foreign languages, knew mythology, read the works of ancient philosophers and poets, and read them in the original language, knew the works of famous scientists and travelers. The author was also, undoubtedly, familiar with the intricacies of court etiquette (which cannot be said about the usurer from Startsford) and possessed the knowledge inherent in the nobility and monarchs, since many of the actions of his works take place in high society.
There is one more indisputable fact that testifies that a completely different person wrote under the name of Shakespeare. Many of Shakespeare's works ("Henry IV", "Othello", "Windsor Pranksters", etc.) were changed after the official publication and several years after Shakespeare's death. That is, after the death of the author, about 5 thousand new lines were added to his works, and they were written in the same style as all works, so much so that it is impossible to distinguish from the original text.
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So who is actually hiding under the name of Shakespeare?
There are many versions. For example, researcher Paul Streits is sure that the pseudonym "Shakespeare" was taken by Edouard de Vere, who was the illegitimate son of Queen Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour. His poems are uniquely similar to Shakespeare's. The count was well acquainted with the court intrigues that are very often described in the works of Shakespeare. Psychologists have created a portrait of the author based on the works of Shakespeare. Among the special signs: education, entry into high society, eccentricity, love of music, aristocratic habits. All of these traits are more suited to Edouard de Erte than the moneylender from Startsford.
It came as a surprise that a woman, Countess Mary Pembroke, wrote under the name of Shakespeare. The author of the version believes that the Countess was a very talented writer, and also composed theatrical plays. But in those days, English society considered it immoral for a woman to engage in literary work. Therefore, the Countess was forced to write under the pseudonym "Shakespeare". The writer’s contemporary, the poet Ben John, often called Shakespeare “Avon's gentle swan,” which in no way could refer to a man.
Many connoisseurs of Shakespeare's work believe that the philosopher Francis Bacon worked under such a pseudonym. Bacon was known for having a huge vocabulary (it was estimated that 95% overlapped with Shakespeare's!). In Bacon's personal archives, notes and drafts of texts were found, some of which were later found in the works of Shakespeare.
Another contender for Shakespeare's place is the poet and author of numerous prose Christopher Marlowe. Unlike Startsford Shakespeare, Marlowe received an excellent university education. There were rumors that he was serving the royal family. In connection with this position, he had to stage his own death. This is how the provincial playwright William Shakespeare appeared. Most likely, the real Shakespeare was a participant in the conspiracy and hid the real author of the works that were attributed to him.
It must be admitted that for most readers it does not matter who wrote the works attributed to Shakespeare, and whether a literary hoax was carried out around the name of the famous author. Much more important is the existence of such masterpieces as King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Hamlet, the fate of whose heroes still worries millions of people on the planet.
Shakespeare's mystery has not been solved. We will wait for new investigations.